The Opening Party for the 2022 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) will be an Orlando-style event that makes a splash. Presented by VENZA and CyberTek, the party will be at SeaWorld Orlando on June 27, 2022 from 6:00 — 11:00 p.m. with ticket proceeds directed towards hospitality scholarships. Attendees will get to enjoy the numerous park attractions, private Dolphin Adventures Show, the Electric Ocean: Ignite fireworks and light show, and one-hour exclusive ride time at the end of the evening. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), the producers of HITEC, is a top-level sponsor of the event.

“This year HITEC is celebrating its 50^th anniversary which led to us starting the week off with a momentous event,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH. “The opportunity to collaborate with long-time exhibitors VENZA and CyberTek for an epic party could not be passed up, especially since it is tied to fundraising for hospitality education, an important tenet for HFTP.”

“VENZA/CyberTek is excited to be working alongside HFTP to help raise funds to support the future work-force of the hospitality industry,” said VENZA President Joshua Bergen, CHAE, CHTP. “This is an important endeavor not only for VENZA but for me personally. As a graduate of Rosen College in my hometown of Orlando, and as a volunteer for NAF.org (Orlando and now Indiana), the importance of supporting the next generation of hospitality delegates is vital. We have a 14-year history of annual fundraisers, and we want to turn the current hospitality staffing trend into the #TheGreatStay, not #TheGreatResignation,” said Bergen.

Entrance to the party is included with specific HITEC registration types (see the HITEC site for details). For those who do not have the party included with their registration, tickets to the event will be sold separately. The party will follow the HITEC Opening Headliner session at the Orange County Convention Center, where buses will shuttle party-goers to SeaWorld and back to the official HITEC hotels.

Proceeds from this event will be directed to four separate hospitality education-focused organizations:
Rosen College of Hospitality Management — Situated in the heart of hospitality, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management provides students with an unrivaled opportunity to learn and work in the industry’s leading market.

Valencia College — The Hospitality and Tourism Management Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares students to go directly into a specialized career within the hospitality industry.

NAF — NAF works with high schools across the country to prepare students for careers in hospitality, tourism and more.

HFTP Foundation — As the philanthropic arm of HFTP®, the Foundation assists HFTP to secure nonprofit funding for hospitality and travel industry-related research, educational projects and scholarships.

Celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2022, HITEC North America will take place on June 27–30 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida USA. HITEC is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. It offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. Registration for HITEC Orlando is now open.

Opportunities to be a sponsor of this event are available, with several tiers offered. If interested, contact Josh Bergen, VENZA president at josh.bergen@venzagroup.com or Anne Boon, VENZA project manager at anne.boon@venzagroup.com.